Bay Area briefs

SWALLOWS LAWSUIT MAY DELAY PETALUMA BRIDGE WORK : PETALUMA (AP) — A lawsuit accuses state and federal regulators of causing the death of dozens of migratory cliff swallows by placing nets on a Sonoma County bridge during a highway widening project.

The suit filed by a coalition of conservation groups claims transportation agencies refused to remove netting or do anything to save the birds, which workers were trying to prevent from nesting on the Petaluma Bridge.

Wildlife advocates say more than 100 cliff swallows have been killed.

The 5-inch-long, brownish birds form colonies that seek out overhanging structures near water.

The lawsuit is threatening to delay a three-year, $82 million project to replace the bridge structure.

The California Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are named in the filing.

SFO BAGGAGE HANDLER ACCUSED OF THEFT: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco International Airport baggage handler is facing charges that he stole items from passengers' bags.

Prosecutors say 45-year-old George Reyes, who works for United Airlines, was found with iPads and purses when he was arrested on Tuesday. The items had been fitted with GPS trackers as part of a police sting.

Reyes, of San Francisco, appeared in court the next day on embezzlement and stolen property charges. He did not enter a plea and was granted time to retain a private attorney.